Three ways to overcome your fear of risk taking

For all of the most important things, the timing always sucks. Waiting for a good time to quit your job? The stars will never align and the traffic lights of life will never all be green at the same time. The universe doesn’t conspire against you, but it doesn’t go out of its way to line up the pins either. Conditions are never perfect. “Someday” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you and you want to do it “eventually,” just do it and correct course along the way.”

-Tim Ferris– author, entrepreneur, angel investor and public speaker

After what I’d deem an unproductive 2015, I stepped into the year extremely keen to make some changes in my career. It dawned on me that I spent too much time last year mulling over things I needed to do, rather than actually doing them. Needless to say, my 2015 goal list wasn’t completely fulfilled.

I came across the Tim Ferriss quote, and it reminded me that action needed to be taken – and NOW! This message only really hit home when I hit a bit of a low. And I think that happens to most of us. Good advice really kicks in when we just can’t take it anymore –our bad habits, our bad relationships, our JOBS– need I say more?

Because for all the things that matter, the idea of change is scary. And one of the biggest demons separating us from our goals is fear. For me, I was afraid of making the sacrifices that many successful entrepreneurs made to get to where they are today. Fear of taking a risk.

If you’re keen to make 2016 one of the most productive years in your career, you’ll probably have to take a few risks. So start by removing the danger signs around the word ‘risk’ and see it as an ‘opportunity’ to help you realise your goals. Here are some tips that might help you get there!

Make risk taking a priority in your career

Regularly challenge yourself to make bold moves in your career. Take a course, forge new relationships, have a side project outside of work etc. If you don’t challenge yourself, you’ll never know what you’re capable of.

Determine the risk vs the reward

You might have experienced in your own life that taking action is usually always more fruitful than doing nothing. In a world where change is occurring so fast, can you live with the results of doing nothing in your career?

Accept that failure is going to happen

Failure is the birthplace of success. Here’s where we learn what works and what doesn’t. So much of life is trial and error, so be willing to learn, unlearn and relearn. Will Smith once said: “you have to fail early, you have to fail often and you have to fail forward”. Failure always comes before success. So don’t let that hurdle put you off your goal.

I’m currently reading ‘Screw It, Let’s Do It’ by Sir Richard Branson – here’s a book that is all about risk taking. Check it out by clicking this link!